Pierre de Cavagnal, Marquis de Vaudreuil

Pierre Francois, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal (1698–1765) was a French colonial governor in the Americas. He was born to the governor of New France, Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil, in Quebec. He was governor the governor of New France (or Canada) when the British conquered it during the French and Indian War. In 1733 he was appointed governor of Three Rivers, and in 1742 of Louisiana. He became governor of New France in 1755, just as the French and Indian War began. Vaudreuil's administration was immediatly involved in the early engagements of the French and Indian War. First governor of New France to be born in Canada, his leadership will be questionned by high-ranking officials of the French army who judge him to be "too Canadian". Although the direct superior of everyone but the King of France, some of his decisions were questioned and even ignored, notably by Louis-Joseph de Montcalm. After General Montcalm was killed in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, Vaudreuil led the remaining forces at Montreal until he was forced to surrender unconditionally, on September 8, 1760, ending combat in the war.\n \nVaudreuil returned to France after the war, and was imprisoned in the Bastille for his part in the loss of Canada. Although he was eventually found innocent, the episode ruined his fortune. He never came back to America, and died in Paris on 20 October, 1765. See also: Articles of Capitulation of Montreal

External links

CyberAcadie : Biographie : Pierre de Rigaud de Vaudreuil de Cavagnial, marquis de Vaudreuil (in French)\nCanadian Military Heritage - \nMutual Dislike Between Colonial and Metropolitan Officers